Citation: Ryland, J.S. & Nelson-Smith, A. 1975 Littoral and benthic investigations on the west coast of Ireland - IV. (Section A: Faunistic and Ecological Studies.). Some shores in Counties Clare and Galway. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 75B: 245-266
Number of Pages: 22
Volume Part: 11
Keywords: Checklist, Clare, Community, Ecology, Fauna, Flora, Galway, Habitat, Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Insect, Littoral, Marine, Marine Inlet, Mollusca, Open Coast, Survey, Zonation
Abstract: This is the fourth paper in the 'Littoral and benthic investigations on the west coast of Ireland' series and describes the physiographic and biological features of a representative selection of shores from the Galway Bay region, western Ireland. Zonation patterns and biological exposure indices are presented for the rocky shores of both limestone and granite, which range from wave pounded to nearly enclosed inlets. The configuration and biota of two different rapid systems, through which inlets communicate with the sea, are described. Attention has been paid to the characteristic biota of each habitat, and to the uncommon or more unusual animals discovered there.